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Castro not catching, but in lineup as DH

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Castro nabs Murphy 0:34

3/31/13: Jason Castro makes a strong throw to catch David Murphy trying to swipe second for a second-inning out

By Brian McTaggart
/
MLB.com |

HOUSTON -- Astros catcher Jason Castro was given the day off behind the plate Tuesday, but not from the lineup. Castro was in the lineup against the Rangers as the designated hitter, batting seventh ahead of catcher Carlos Corporan, who has worked well with starter Lucas Harrell.

Castro couldn't remember the last time he was a DH, but he planned to lean on veterans like Carlos Pena to get advice.

"There's a mindset and an approach," Castro said. "You can't just have an at-bat and just check out with four pinch-hits almost. It's something that's more of a mental game than it is physical. It's definitely something that's a work in progress. I don't know how much I'll DH this year, but I'm going to try to take advantage of it when I get the opportunity."

If something happens to Corporan and Castro had to move behind the plate, the Astros would lose the designated hitter and would have to put the pitcher back in the lineup. Manager Bo Porter said that's not a concern.

"It would be very fluky for something to happen to both of them," he said. "They're hitting back to back, and if you get to that point and have to do something, you can do something."